RIYADH, 17 February 2005 — Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who will be in Riyadh on Sunday after attending the Jeddah Economic Forum, will hold talks with Interior Minister Prince Naif on matters of bilateral interests following Monday’s Saudi Cabinet decision to sign an agreement on security cooperation with Pakistan.
“During the prime minister’s brief stay in Riyadh, the embassy is making arrangements for him to pay courtesy calls on Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah and hold talks with the minister of interior on matters of mutual interests,” Pakistani Ambassador Abdul Aziz Mirza told Arab News.
Aziz is also scheduled to meet prominent members of his community and hold discussions with businessmen in the capital.
The decision for renewed military cooperation between the two countries was taken during the recent talks between the Saudi Assistant Minister for Defense Prince Khaled ibn Sultan and Pakistan Defense Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal in Islamabad.
The ambassador recalled that Prince Khaled formally took delivery of 20 Super Mushak aircraft during his visit. “A few of these trainer aircraft have already arrived here and they will be used mainly by the Saudi Air Force,” he added. Pakistan will send a team of experts to build hangars and maintain these aircraft in the Kingdom.
In addition to exchange of intelligence and information between the two countries, the envoy said there is a good number of Pakistani army officers including medical practitioners currently working for the Ministry of Defense here.
The number of Saudi servicemen who are being trained in Pakistan is likely to increase after Sunday’s talks. The soldiers are currently given training in naval, air and army services.
Last Friday, the two countries agreed to hold further negotiations to sign two accords for the promotion and protection of investment and avoidance of double taxation during a two-day visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Yamani to Islamabad.
“The proposed agreements on investment and taxation will play a big role in boosting investments in both countries,” the ambassador said, emphasizing that his country enjoys deep-rooted relationship with the Kingdom.
